IndyCar will be hitting the streets of Washington, D.C. for the first time this summer to help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday to facilitate planning for the creation of the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
The race will take place on a circuit that will run from Capitol Hill to the Lincoln Memorial and back around the National Mall on a layout that still needs to be finalized. General admission tickets will be free.
The order directs the Interior and Transportation departments to help “designate a suitable race route that showcases the majestty of Washington, D.C. and its iconic national monuments,” and to issue all required permits. It also authorizes any funds that are needed and directs the Administration to coordinate planning with the city’s mayor.
“Soon-to-be the home of every major sports franchise, Washington, D.C. is the undisputed Sports Capital,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a news release. “But we don’t stop there and work to attract major events. That’s why I am thrilled to welcome the Freedom 250 to the Nation’s Capital this August. The race weekend will rev up the economic engine of D.C. by filling our hotels and restaurants and by showing visitors, residents and the sports world that there’s no better city, people and backdrop for major sports events. I invite all sports fans to come enjoy the Freedom 250 and all that Washington, D.C. has to offer.”
IndyCar owner Roger Penske was at the signing event and said he expects the series’ broadcast partner, Fox, to put on a huge show.
“Believe me, what they did for us at Indy this past year (Fox’s first year broadcasting the Indy 500), they’re going to take that and put it on steroids, really, and take it to the next level.
The event is scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 21-23 and more details, including a final track map, will be released as the race date approaches.
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This story has been updated with additional information
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